I still can’t quite believe I’m writing this, it’s just over twelve months since I started my Finery of Nature and it’s time for a very Happy Dance!!! I’ve actually finished it! It’s a Dimensions kit I got from the sales table at my Embroiderers Guild, I’m not sure how long it had been in someone’s stash as the copyright is from the 1990’s.
It was meant to be stitched on black aida as you can see, I knew my eyes weren’t up to stitching that amount on black, so I changed it for a soft green linen. This led to a couple of other changes, the biggest one being omitting all the gold thread and changing it to other colours as needs be.
Anyway, three weeks ago I was here, having just finished the cross-stitch for the butterflies…
I suddenly got an urge to really crack on with it, I finished all the surrounding plants and flowers and added the back-stitching on the butterflies. I stuck to the recommended black back-stitch for the blue and gold one, but I changed to a lighter colour for the cream butterfly.
All I had to do then was finish the border…
I was planning to change the earlier french knots on the pink roses as the later ones are smaller, which looks better. However when I looked at them they were so closely stitched that I decided I would spoil it if I tried to remove them.
So here is the finished piece, The Finery of Nature…
I’m really please with it, I love how many of the colours stand out so much more than on black, especially the flowers. I took it straight down to Art Works, the framers I trust with my needlework in Otley. The picture is already hanging on my bedroom wall…
I now need to choose my next project, I’ve decided it will be one of the two embroideries I have on-going since workshops last year, either the hare or the Bethlehem embroidery. Both need finishing.
This SAL is organised by Avis, we share our progress every three weeks and it is a great incentive to keep going on a project. If you would like to join us just send a message to Avis. Please follow the links to see lots more stitching…
Avis, Claire, Gun, Carole, Sue, Constanze, Christina, Kathy, Margaret, Cindy, Heidi, Jackie, Sunny, Hayley, Megan, Deborah, Mary Margaret, Renee, Carmela, Jocelyn, Sharon, Daisy, Anne, Connie, AJ, Jenny, Laura, Cathie, Linda
I’ll also be linking up with Kathy’s Quilts for Slow Stitching Sunday, please follow the link for more hand-stitched inspiration.
thecraftycreek 
Wow it is gorgeous and I don’t blame you at all for avoiding the black fabric.
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Love it. And so much more spring like with your choice of background fabric. Well done.
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Looks wonderful. X
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Wow it looks amazing and so different not being on the black background
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What an achievement!
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Congratulations, enjoy your happy dance. The finished project looks fantastic and I have to say that I prefer the light background. Can’t wait to see what you do next!
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Very pretty, so nice it’s hanging in your bedroom so you can see it every day! I commend you on having it framed right away instead of languishing in a drawer. Happy stitching on your embroidery projects.
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Your Finery of Nature is an equisite work of embroidery. It looks wonderful framed and hanging on your bedroom wall. You must smile every time you look at this pretty piece. Congratulations to you on a most beautiful finish.
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All of your changes made it your own. It is beautiful!
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Beautiful! I like the light better than the black, it’s refreshing with lots of charm.
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Happy dance! It is a true masterpiece of harmony and delicate colors! Very good
Carmela
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All finished in time for Spring! It’s gorgeous and deserves to be made up rather than sitting in someone’s stash.
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This is beautiful !! So many finishes this update, well done. The framing looks gorgeous too. Looking forward to seeing your next project
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It turned out beautifully, and already framed, you really did crack on Margaret! It is a lovely piece, perfect for your bedroom wall!
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Stunning, Margaret❣️ Absolutely adore the colours you chose, and using the green rather than black fabric works really well, particularly as you’ve matted and framed it.
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That’s beautiful work. I much prefer your choice of colours to the original. By the way, I only ‘discovered’ you earlier in the week … so glad I did as I’m thoroughly enjoying yours posts. Thank you.
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I hope you do a happy dance for a week for this project! So beautiful and just as nice on green as black:) congratulations:)
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lovely finish and on the wall….. great work!
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Absolutely stunning! I had to ‘like’ so many of the comments highlighting your amazing work on this, your eye for color choices is spot on. Your work is always inspiring for me!
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Yay! For a finish! It is very pretty.
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not only finished, but framed as well !!!! looks lovely!
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That’s beautiful! Well worth all the work you put into it!
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Gorgeous piece, congratulation on your finish!
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Congratulations on a fabulous finish. It looks so lovely on that fabric and I’m so impressed that you already have it framed and on the wall 🙂
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Wow, just WOW – an amazing piece/accomplishment!
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This looks just lovely on green. I like it better than the black. Congratulations on the finish!
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Hello Margaret, congratulations, your Finery of Nature is beautiful, well done. You should be very proud. I love your background fabric, I too would battle with so much black. Regards Mandy xx
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I really love how that piece looks on the lighter cloth. This is gorgeous! How wonderful that you just went for it and finished it, including getting it framed.
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That’s worthy of a happy dance party! So glad you had it framed without delay. It’s beautiful and should be enjoyed.
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Doing one Happy Dance for you and a great and finished project!
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What a gorgeous piece and so beautifully framed as well. I love it!
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Many congratulations on your fabulous finish, such a lot of work in stitching this, I imagine. And it’s so nice that you now have it hanging on the wall to enjoy.
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Margaret, this is so gorgeous! Your colors are just right and I love that you’ve already had it framed. Congratulations on your very happy dance! Can’t wait to see which project you choose next.
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I am sorry I missed this finish. It’s gorgeous!!
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Beautiful!!! Wow, and already framed too!? Simply stunning work and happy it will be admired on your wall everyday 🙂
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